Stratified care with LARS (Lage Rugpijn Support tool) for patients with chronic non-specific low back pain and physiotherapists in primary care. A participative development and feasibility study.
Chronic low back pain is a global societal issue with high costs due to sick leave, disability, and healthcare utilization.
Aim
In this project, the LARS (Low Back Support) decision aid was co-developed with clients and physiotherapists. LARS was developed using the CeHRes Roadmap, aligned with user preferences, and evaluated in a pilot study.
Results
The LARS (Low Back Support) decision aid is a web-based tool that supports shared decision-making by providing tailored treatment advice based on client characteristics. The System Usability Scale (SUS) yielded a score of 70.8, indicating a usable and acceptable application. LARS helped clients feel better prepared, improved understanding of treatment options, and strengthened their sense of autonomy. The Ottawa Acceptance Scale and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory confirmed high satisfaction levels, and the educational video was appreciated for offering practical information on low back pain and self-management. LARS has proven to be a valuable addition to primary care.